From hammer toe to dealing with Courtney Kiley’s shenanigans, Brian J. Williams does it all. In his 12th year at CHS, Williams still hasn’t had two days that look the same — and that’s exactly how he likes it. A high school counselor since 2007, he believes what keeps the job meaningful is its unpredictability.
“In a small school, we have to play lots of roles,” Williams said. “Not just a traditional counselor.”
This year, Williams set a small but intentional goal: to stand at the front door in the mornings and say hello to students entering. He’s been thinking a lot about energy — how he transforms a room and how his personal energy affects students’ days. “How do I make this feel great?” he often asks himself. In today’s world, simply holding the door open for someone can help set the tone for the entire day.
Working alongside Missy Herskowitz — who he described as his “yin and yang” — Williams really values the balance they bring to the counseling office and school. They have different strengths and different vibes, which work in students’ favor. Some students might feel more comfortable talking to him, while others might prefer Herskowitz, and having that choice makes a big difference. As they’ve gotten more used to working together this year, their partnership has become not only more effective but also more fun.
“Now we can dig at each other, make fun of each other,” Williams said. “That kind of stuff is fun.”
He hopes students can “shrink their world” a little and focus on what’s directly in front of them. But it’s not as easy as just saying it.
“How do we just focus on our eight blocks, within our own small community?” Williams said.
For him, connection is key — real conversations, eye contact and small human interactions.
“This is real life,” Williams said. “This is the stuff that I have control over.”
Looking forward, Williams sees CHS still shaping its identity. As schools like Huron High School and Skyline High School have developed specific programs and reputations, he wonders how CHS’s identity will change and grow. He thinks creativity is already at the heart of the school.
“I feel like we could be that small, creative, forward-thinking home base,” Williams said. Not just in the arts, but also in journalism, performance groups and classrooms that encourage different ways of thinking. I think we should really own that identity.”
In a town where the Block M from the University of Michigan feels so present, he acknowledges the academic pressure some students carry.
“You don’t always have to go to a four-year university to be successful,” he said.
While Williams encourages students to engage in their education, he emphasizes that grades and specific content aren’t everything.
“You’re going to forget most of this,” Williams said. “But how to think, how to communicate, how to approach something — that’s what’s going to get you far.”
After more than a decade at CHS, Williams remains grounded by the small moments: greeting students at the door, having honest conversations and reminding people that they are more resilient than they think.
“We are still pretty resilient people,” he said. In a world that often feels overwhelming, that reminder might matter more than ever.
